As NFL Draft analysts turn from the all-star bowls to the Scouting Combine, one major point of contention is the invitee list for the Combine ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft.
A Combine invite is tremendously valuable for a prospect. The Combine provides an opportunity for prospects to showcase their athletic prowess in front of all 32 NFL teams. This year is no different.
But despite a great performance in the Senior Bowl , Bowling Green defensive lineman Karl Brooks was not invited to the Combine. Brooks is a six-foot-three, 300-pound defensive tackle who could certainly end up getting selected relatively early in this year’s draft.
Brooks impressed scouts during Senior Bowl week, showcasing a rare blend of speed and power for a player of his height-weight profile. In fact, some even see Brooks as a potential EDGE rusher in a pinch, given his pass-rushing ability. He has added a bit of weight since college, giving him more of a defensive tackle’s profile, but Brooks’ versatile skill set will make him an attractive commodity across the board. He is worth watching, especially in a year in which the defensive line class leaves a bit to be desired.
Brooks likely qualifies as one of the higher-profile “snubs” with respect to this year’s Combine invite list. It’s not clear whether Brooks is a “riser” after Senior Bowl week or if Brooks’ “rise” simply represents the media catching up to where Brooks has always been on NFL teams’ boards. The latter, actually, seems quite possible—Brooks was tremendously productive last season, racking up 18 tackles for loss and ten sacks. Undoubtedly, NFL teams knew who Brooks was before Senior Bowl week.
Suffice to say that few would be surprised at this point if Brooks ended up getting selected in the middle rounds. Unfortunately, it looks like he won’t get to bolster his draft resume at the Combine.
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